Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi, Madam Chair. As the Member of this House clearly stated, early childhood development is very critical, an important piece of work that’s before us and an important matter for the entire community to adopt as a priority. As you are aware, the responsibility for proper care for children not only falls on government but also the entire community. It’s a shared responsibility. It is, therefore, very encouraging to see this principle and collaboration of action with the town of Inuvik, where the entire community rallied for the costs and came out with 80 percent of the costs for building a...

When I met with WSCC staff to talk about the standards that are being developed, we wanted to do research in other jurisdictions, as well, as we’ve done with various other initiatives that we’ve undertaken when it comes to policy development, or benefits, or compensation. The discussion on potentially having input from the clients themselves, those are discussions we’ve had, but I will take those into consideration when I meet with WSCC and gather that information.

Mahsi. It’s been standard within our department that we need to work with the DEA, as well, and especially when it comes to school additions or renovations or retrofits. In the past the school boards have contributed in certain areas of their own investment for expansion. So we need to be mindful of that, where they play a key role as well. There’s been an increase in funding as well. I’m just reading over the document that’s been provided to us. So, again, the DEA wrote to our department offering a contribution of $64,000 to increase the scope of work to include the classroom addition. So we...

Yes, Madam Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Member alluded to where we cannot talk about the specifics of a case that’s before the claims. This particular case is before the claims. When it comes to compensation and benefits for individuals, injured workers, I have had a meeting with WSCC, the president and also the chair, discussing various areas where the Member raised that issue with me earlier. I did raise the profile and we need to deal with those matters that are before us. Those are the areas that the organization is looking after but they are very careful discussing matters that are before claims.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Yes, we will be providing more detailed information to the Members. We have been working with Public Works and Services on providing an update on the technical status evaluation in March of 2011 on the actual building. But if there are deficiencies that we should be aware of, certain areas that are not up to code, then we should be aware of it. We haven’t been notified in that area, but we will be providing the latest status that we have. Mahsi.

That has been the process for quite some time now within the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. We are following the process and we’ll continue to follow the process as well. There may have been some discrepancies in the past where recommendations were brought forward by consultants, issues with the consultants, so we had to make sure that there is a management response to deal with that matter. We have gone through some hiccups along the way, as well, with this process last year and this year. We just want to make sure that we have the right document going out to the general...

The department will bring forward the project for Mildred Hall for consideration during the 2014-2015 capital planning process. The outstanding work that’s been in play with the previous major renovation that was undertaken, some of the work hasn’t been completed. So those are some of the areas that could be identified through this capital planning process. I will get my director, Mr. Devitt, to elaborate more on the technicality of the process. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I already committed that I will be tabling the document in the House.

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. We did have a lively debate earlier on Trout Lake, and I do understand where the Member’s coming from and I’m seriously looking into this, as well, with my department. I’ve already indicated to my deputy that there are certain schools that we may have to seriously look at. There’s been an increase in enrolment. History shows us that the enrolment has been increasing, so that’s an area that we can definitely look at and start planning, conduct a planning process for the Charles Tetcho School in Trout Lake. I will be committing to working with the Members and also the standing...